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Karen Guillen-Chapman, Program Coordinator

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Native American Community Advisory Council

Wapato Fields
Metro hosts Wapato field trip

Native Family Day 2012

HistoryIn 2010, in collaboration with Native communities and local tribes, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) co-created the Native American Community Advisory Council (NACAC), with the understanding that the Willamette Valley and Columbia River peoples are the original stewards of this region’s land. PP&R is a large land manager in Portland and is concerned with the welfare of public properties and the community interactions with parks. This is a common role that creates a unique relationship between the Native community and PP&R. In recognition of this parallel mission, and the essential value of working with the Native community, a unique council of concerned Native community members, who would inform PP&R about Native cultures and lifeways, was created. Their role is to advise and collaborate about park development, management, and projects.

PP&R recognized their relationship with the Native community by formalizing the Native American Community Advisory Council on November 6, 2013.

The NACAC provides a forum to express values such as sacredness of land, the importance of spiritual and cultural connection to heritage, and the recognition that Indigenous peoples have been here since time immemorial and continue to contribute immeasurably to our nation’s, state’s, tribes’, and city’s heritage.

MembersThe NACAC is comprised of local federally recognized tribal members and Native American urban organization members on staff with the City of Portland. The work of this council is to foster collaboration between and among Native communities and the bureau by developing partnerships and strengthening community ties.

Sande Bea Allman, Bow & Arrow Club

Tana Atchley, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Judy BlueHorse Skeleton, PSU

Ridhi D'Cruz, Ujima Center

Donita Sue Fry, PYEC/NAYA

Rose High Bear, Wisdom of the Elders Inc.

Katy Holland, Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians

Verdene McGuire, Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians

Karen Kitchen, PPS Title VII

Sherry Scott, Bow & Arrow Club

Shawna Zierdt, Inter-tribal Gathering Garden

Isabel LaCourse, Tualatin Riverkeepers

Jessica Rojas, PSU and BES

Clifton Bruno, community member

Christine Bruno, community member

STAFF

David Barrios, Portland Parks & Recreation

Sheryl Juber, Portland Parks & Recreation

Elizabeth Kennedy-Wong, Portland Parks & Recreation

Karen Guillén-Chapman, Portland Parks & Recreation

Amy Croover, Metro

GoalsThe goal of NACAC is to contribute Indigenous values, knowledge, and vision to the cultural fabric of Portland while fostering physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healthby:

Providing opportunities to educate and practice Native cultures and lifeways within the urban landscape.

Developing best practices to engage with Indigenous peoples in the area.

VisionNACAC wishes to bring about a healing between Indigenous/Native American peoples and all others who live in this region, recognizing that the people are one with the land and consider themselves stewards of it and participating in the well-being of the land. Consistent with Parks 2020 Vision, the NACAC strives to work for a healing of this land, to protect it and to pass it on to future generations, and to leave a legacy for our children that build upon our inheritance.

Next Steps

Discuss and develop agreement on the structure of the Council

Increase visibility of the Council by creating a presence on the website

Set clear expectations around the work, authority, and advisory capacity of the Council in the following:

Blessings ceremonies

Naming process

Interpretative signage

Staff recruitment

Develop a process with NACAC to bring other issues, questions, or potential projects forward, for example, development of inter-tribal gathering areas on publicly managed land.